Will Bucket Seats Fit My Vehicle? We Have The Answers!
Here at GSM Performance, we get asked all the time if you can buy new bucket seats and sport seats, and then fit them to your vehicle without new brackets. The very short and simple answer to this in 99% of cases is no.
Each vehicle produced is designed by its manufacturer to work with a specific set or range of seats that they fit in their factory during production. The bolt points, frames and mechanisms will be unique to the vehicle model or its chassis. Aftermarket bucket seats and sport seats are universal, meaning they are not created to specifically suit any particular vehicle, as a result, they will not be compatible with the equipment already fitted in your car.
Why are new seats universal?
New bucket seats and reclining seats are made to be universal, so they can be used in conjunction with a wide range of fitting equipment for different applications. This means that you can swap the seat from one vehicle to another by replacing the fitting equipment to suit the new vehicle, which we will discuss next. Bucket seats are also used for multiple other situations, ranging from stadium dugout seats through to gaming setups, so having a specific vehicle platform built into the seat wouldn’t work.
How do I fit bucket seats in my car?
To install side-mounted bucket seats, you will need new seat brackets made for that specific brand of seat so that they can be fitted into your vehicle. The seat brackets will need to cater for a side-mounted seat.
For example, this is a common setup that we recommend and supply almost daily:
BMW E46 Sub-Frame & Side Mounts
Cobra Suzuka Bucket Seat
The side mounts can then be bolted to the aforementioned seat to secure them in place before fitment in a vehicle. After the fitting equipment has been attached to the seat, the side mounts, sliders, and frame are then installed to the original bolt points for the vehicle. This completes the installation of a side-mounted bucket seat.
How do I fit reclining sports seats in my car?
To install side-mounted bucket seats, you will need new seat brackets made for that specific brand of seat so that it can be fitted into your vehicle. The new seat brackets will need to match the base points in the reclining seat. Some seat brands like Corbeau and Sparco have cross-compatible seat brackets, but we recommend using brackets and seats from the same brand where possible.
There are over a dozen variations, so please contact us for advice on which frames work with our base-mounted seats. For example, this is a common setup that we highly recommend and supply almost daily:
Renault Clio MK2 Direct Fit Sub-Frames & Sliders
Sparco R333 Reclining Sport Seat
This will allow the base-mounted seat to be installed onto the new seat sliders and frame before being fitted to the original bolt points for the vehicle. This completes the installation of a base-mounted bucket seat.
What seat frames fit which seats?
We have over 14 years of experience, in the motorsport industry, working with bucket seats and sport seats & we also have the largest display of seats in the UK. Our many years of experience give us valuable knowledge about which setups work and which don’t. So, if you have any questions about what fitting equipment you’ll need to fit your new seats, whether they’re bucket seats or recliners, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to provide you with expert advice on which seats & fitting equipment will suit your needs.
